West Oxfordshire

West Oxfordshire's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure.

The population passed 100,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of West Oxfordshire increased by 9.6%, from just over 95,600 to 105,000.

The addition of just over 9,100 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, West Oxfordshire was home to, on average, 1 person per football pitch-sized piece of land. This made it the South East's second-least densely-populated district.

Population density was lower than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older West Oxfordshire

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of West Oxfordshire increased by three years, from 39 to 42 years.

This affluent rural area had a higher average age than the South East and remained somewhat older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 3,800 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 2,000.

About 12% of people in West Oxfordshire are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and West Oxfordshire by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More homes without children

West Oxfordshire saw the South East's largest rise in the proportion of households without children.

In 2011, just over 6 in 10 (62%) households in West Oxfordshire had no children, compared with 60% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child decreased from 30% to 29%.

Across the region, Eastleigh saw the next largest increase in the proportion of households without children (from 59% in 2001 to 60% in 2011).

The proportion of households without children was higher than across the South East

Percentage of households without children across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in West Oxfordshire

The percentage of West Oxfordshire residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.1% to 2.7% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

The percentage who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 7.1%, while the percentage of West Oxfordshire residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 91% to 90%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 2.5% in 2001 to 3.2% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in West Oxfordshire, but at a slower rate than across the South East.

In West Oxfordshire, the proportion of private renting increased from 11% in 2001 to 15% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 10% to 16%.

Across the South East, the share of privately rented homes increased from 10% to 16%.

The rate of social housing in West Oxfordshire fell from 13% to 12%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 73% to 70%.

Private renting in West Oxfordshire increased by 3.9 percentage points

Percentage of households in West Oxfordshire, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of West Oxfordshire residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 6.2% to 3.5% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 9 in 10 (85%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 74% in 2001. The percentage of West Oxfordshire residents that described their health as fair decreased from 20% to 11%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 7.2% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in West Oxfordshire decreased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in West Oxfordshire, the South East and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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